Alex Salmond has insisted he will serve out his term as First Minister if there is a No vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

He told listeners to a phone-in programme that he had been elected on a pledge to hold the historic vote, and would continue at the helm even if he fails to secure victory.

Mr Salmond was answering questions from voters for more than 90 minutes on issues, from the taxation and currency arrangements in an independent Scotland, to the affordability of pensions and childcare.

Asked by one caller if he would resign immediately in the event of a No vote, he said: "No, I will discharge my responsibility. I was elected as First Minister in 2011, and I would like to serve out my term."

Mr Salmond also addressed concerns in the BBC Radio Scotland programme that the referendum is proving divisive, with one voter raising the issue of anti-English feeling.

The First Minister said: "Any residual anti-English sentiment in Scotland would disappear, because we would take responsibility for ourselves.

"When things go wrong in Scotland it would be our responsibility to sort them out as opposed to blaming someone else.

"We value, absolutely value English people in Scotland, they are part of the community."

Issues such as Trident and EU membership were raised.

Trident, Mr Salmond said, was "a red line issue", and a pledge to remove it from Scotland would be non-negotiable.

He also repeated assertions that Scotland's EU membership would be "a smooth transition".